Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum

07/07/2020

“Voices of Lovettsville” -- Tell us your coronavirus stories!

The Lovettsville Historical Society is sponsoring an exciting new project, called “Voices of Lovettsville,” to collect stories of our local citizens' experiences during these extraordinary times of the coronavirus. Sheryl Frye has volunteered to lead this project over the next few months. She will be conducting interviews with citizens of all ages and backgrounds.

First-hand accounts of people’s personal experiences can convey so much more historically than just facts and figures. Through these interviews, Sheryl is hoping to capture -- for future generations -- how this pandemic, and our responses to it, are affecting people in the Lovettsville area.

Interviews (at a social distance) will be done with those that are interested in participating. These will be non-political and experience-based interviews, with no more than 12 questions. Basic demographic data will also be collected to help the Historical Society organize these interviews.

Once the interviews are completed, the recordings and transcriptions will be held by the Historical Society & Museum for preservation and possible publishing. If you are interested in being interviewed for this project, please contact Sheryl at the [email protected] address, and she will set up a time to meet with you.

If you would prefer, you may just write down your stories yourself, and submit them to Sheryl at the above email address, or snail-mail them to the Lovettsville Historical Society, P.O. Box 5, Lovettsville VA 20180.

If you’d like to help out with transcribing interviews and writing, let us know at the email address above.

Please join us in this effort, ask your friends and neighbors to participate as well, and help us promote this project!

07/04/2020

Our July 2020 Newsletter is ready! Read it now. https://mailchi.mp/9499bc3a9a2b/news-from-the-lovettsville-historical-society

06/11/2020

Our June 2020 Newsletter is out! http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/our-june-2020-newsletter-is-now-available/

06/08/2020

In Fond Memory: Elaine Walker

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/in-fond-memory-elaine-walker/

05/25/2020

The Town of Lovettsville

Here's Lovettsville's virtual Memorial Day ceremony, in which the Lovettsville Historical Society participated.

We host lots of events in Lovettsville, but Memorial Day is one that speaks to the heart of who we are as a community. Thank you to everyone that attended our Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony, earlier today. If you were not able to join us live, we have posted the full ceremony below.

Even during a global pandemic and Stay-At-Home order, we will NEVER FORGET to honor our military personnel who we have lost in the service of our country.

Thank you to the following organizations and individuals who made our remembrance ceremony possible.

-- Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum --
Edward Spannaus

-- Boy Scouts of America, Troop 962 --
Eagle Scout Jake Ridderhoff and Life Scout Sam Ridderhoff

-- Boy Scouts of America, Troop 969 --
Second Class Cooper Barton

-- Cub Scouts, Pack 704 --
Webelo Corbin Barton and Lion Logan Barton

-- Girl Scouts, Troop 70078 --
Brownie Hailey Barton

-- Lovettsville Elementary School --
Mrs. Sarah Stillman

-- Chaplain --
Major Yul Song, U.S. Army Reserve

-- Lovettsville American Legion Post 1836 --
Lizzy Fontaine, David Steadman, Donald Zajic, and Thomas Mawson

-- Lovettsville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1836 --
Erin York

-- Elected Officials --
Senator Mark Warner, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, Senator
John Bell, Delegate Dave LaRock, Loudoun County Board of
Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall, and Supervisor Caleb Kershner

-- Bagpipes, Amazing Grace --
Don Vermillion

-- LOVE America Committee, Town of Lovettsville --
Chair Melissa Barton, Councilman Mike Dunlap, Lovettsville Town Council
Planning Commissioner Adam Baumgardner, Tiffany Dunlap

It is amazing that such a moving and touching ceremony can be created during a global pandemic, under a Stay-At-Home order, filmed purely with the use of cell phone cameras, compiled with free software, and a whole LOT of LOVE. As we look forward to the days when we can all be together again, we hope that this virtual ceremony continues to honor the sacrifice of our fallen heroes.

From all of us in The Town of Lovettsville, we will NEVER FORGET.

~ Nate Fontaine, Mayor of Lovettsville,

05/01/2020

Our May 2020 Newsletter is now available! – Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum

Our May newsletter has just been published.
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/our-may-2020-newsletter-is-now-available/

Our May 2020 Newsletter is now available! May 1, 2020 LHS_Admin Uncategorized 0 We have just published our monthly newsletter for May 2020. Even though we are forced to close the Museum, and postpone all lectures until it is safe to meet again, there is still lots to do. This issue continues our sur...

04/30/2020

Stop demolition of Community Center, LHS asks Supervisors
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/stop-demolition-of-community-center-lhs-asks-supervisors/

04/04/2020

Our April 2020 Newsletter is now available! – Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum

The Lovettsville Museum and our lecture series is shut down, but history is not shut down! It is open. We continue to bring you our newsletter, in which we will point you to some useful on-line resources which you can use to enrich your knowledge of history and genealogy, during these stay-at-home days. The April issue also contains an update on the fight to save the Lovettsville Community Center from demolition, and we feature a pioneering article on the Hessian soldiers who stayed in America — and in the Lovettsville area — to build a better life after the American Revolution.
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/our-april-2020-newsletter-is-now-available/

Our April 2020 Newsletter is now available! April 4, 2020 LHS_Admin Uncategorized 0 The Lovettsville Museum and our lecture series is shut down, but history is not shut down! It is open. We continue to bring you our newsletter, in which we will point you to some useful on-line resources which you ca...

03/25/2020

Closure and Cancellation Notice:
Under the terms of the Governor's March 23 Executive Order, the Lovettsville Museum must be closed through April 23, and our lecture scheduled for April 19 must also be postponed. We will keep you advised as soon as we are able to resume normal activities. Meanwhile, stay safe and stay well!

02/26/2020

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/march-8-lecture-german-immigrants-american-pioneers-the-brunners-of-schifferstadt/

02/10/2020

News from the Lovettsville Historical Society

Our February 2020 Newsletter is now available. Get it here: https://mailchi.mp/8b28bece4cfa/news-from-the-lovettsville-historical-society

01/18/2020

Feb. 9 — Lovettsville 101: An Introduction to The German Settlement – Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/feb-9-lovettsville-101-an-introduction-to-the-german-settlement/

01/03/2020

Our January 2020 Newsletter is now here! https://mailchi.mp/8789d0e25a62/news-from-the-lovettsville-historical-society
Or go to our website: http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/

12/28/2019

Rob Jones honored at LHS Annual Meeting
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/rob-jones-welcomed-at-lhs-annual-meeting/

12/08/2019

Our December 2019 newsletter is now available. https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?u=505152bd0e6e82e1cbc019d3c&id=036ee8a2da

11/02/2019

News from the Lovettsville Historical Society November 2019

Our November 2019 newsletter is now available, and includes:
Nov. 10 Lecture: “The Lost History of Potomac Marble”
Dec. 15: LHS Annual Meeting at Lovettsville Museum
The German-American Zweitürhaus in Lovettsville
Nearby events of interest

See it here:
https://mailchi.mp/f196e1a2b45c/news-from-the-lovettsville-historical-society-november-2019

When the Capitol of the United States was rebuilt after the British burned Washington in 1814, the famed columns in the old House and Senate chambers were built with what is called “Potomac Marble,” found on both sides of the Potomac River, in Loudoun County in Virginia, and in Montgomery and Fr...

10/20/2019

Nov. 10 Lecture -- “The Lost History of Potomac Marble”

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/november-10-the-lost-history-of-potomac-marble/

09/29/2019

Next lecture, Sunday, Oct. 13: “Germanna 101:
Virginia’s First German Settlement”
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/october-13-germanna-101-virginias-first-german-settlement/

09/27/2019

Second Annual Tasting, Tales, and Tunes: Hiddencroft Vineyards, Thursday Evening, Oct. 17, 2019—7:00-9:30 p.m.
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/tastings-tales-tunes-at-hiddencroft-vineyards-october-17/

09/09/2019

What we are losing, by demolishing the Community Center building
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/what-we-are-losing-by-demolishing-the-community-center-building/

09/04/2019

Annual Lovettsville Historical Society Fundraiser & Membership Appreciation Event,
Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/sept-22-lhs-fundraiser-and-membership-appreciation-event/

08/27/2019

Sept. 8 Lecture -- "The Shenandoah Valley's German Heritage"

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/sept-8-the-shenandoah-valleys-german-heritage/

08/02/2019

Next Lecture: August 11 — Daniel Morgan: American Rifleman

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/august-11-daniel-morgan-american-rifleman/

07/07/2019

The full video of our June 9 presentation "Growing Up Lovettsville," featuring the life and times of Walter Fleming, is now posted on our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRpuzEFQCew

07/03/2019

Our July 2019 Newsletter is now available.
https://mailchi.mp/8e6637299dcf/news-from-the-lovettsville-historical-society

06/11/2019

Ethan Smith wins LHS History Award at Lovettsville Elementary

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/ethan-smith-wins-lhs-history-award-at-lovettsville-elementary-school/

06/01/2019

Our June 2019 newsletter is now available! – Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum

Our June newsletter is now available.
http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/our-june-2019-newsletter-is-now-available/

Our June 2019 newsletter is now available! June 1, 2019 LHS_Admin Uncategorized 0 For our latest issue, read it here. In this issue: Lecture June 9: “A conversation with Walter Fleming” Upcoming LHS lectures and events Heritage Commission proposal presented to Supervisors 1938 WPA Historical Inv...

05/29/2019

Next Lecture -- June 9: "Growing Up Lovettsville:
When A Farm Boy Drove the School Bus."

An Illustrated Reminiscence
with Walter M. Fleming
Sunday, June 9, 2:00 p.m.

Slideshow by Becky H. Fleming

Rich Gillespie, Moderator

When Dr. A. B. Householder brought Walter M. Fleming into the world on September 26, 1929 near Elvan, west of Lovettsville, there was a farm depression going on in rural Virginia. There had been for most of the decade. In four weeks, the rest of the nation would join them. The son of Alvin and Leona Fleming, Walter was born to a hard-working couple who were farming Millbrook, the farm of Dr. and Mrs. William J. Mallory of Washington, D.C.

Growing up on a Lovettsville area farm, Walter was a part of an intensive rural life known to generations who worked the land by hand and horse, a multi-skilled culture now largely lost. American culture today and particularly western Loudoun society assumes we know the basics of this life—it regularly enters our turn of phrase—and yet the vast majority of us no longer do. Walter Fleming absorbed every bit of it into his very pores.

With the help of his son, Loudoun History Award winter Ken, and his able writer and daughter-in-law Becky, Walter has sought to record that hardscrabble satisfying life in word and image with his new book, Growing Up Lovettsville: The Life & Times of Walter M. Fleming. It is a memoir of rural Loudoun life, but a memorial to small-town life in Lovettsville and nearby Brunswick, Maryland as well.

Fleming will speak at the Lovettsville Historical Society’s monthly second-Sunday history lecture series at 2:00 p.m. June 9th at the customary venue, the inviting sanctuary at St. James United Church of Christ at 10 East Broadway (the main street), in Lovettsville, with renowned historian Rich Gillespie acting as interviewer and moderator while Becky Fleming illustrates her father-in-law’s reminiscences with projected photos from the family album. The program will particularly focus on farm life in a time of intensive change, something Mr. Fleming became very familiar with in his subsequent career with Whitmore & Arnold (later Browning Equipment) dealing with agricultural implements. Additionally, as a high school student school bus driver, Fleming will share his memories of school life at Woodland and Lovettsville Elementary Schools as well as Lovettsville High School (now the Lovettsville Community Center).

Those with long memories of Northern Loudoun are especially invited to attend and follow in the Lovettsville Historical Society’s long tradition, in which the audience becomes involved with questions and their own memories at the end of the formal presentation. Whether its adventures across the wood-bottomed Brunswick Bridge or memories of the August 31, 1940 airliner crash (Walter Fleming heard it crash and saw the results shortly after), presentations like this one refresh old memories and bring a younger generation and newer residents “into the fold” of the region’s communal experience.

Walter Fleming will have copies of his memoir available and will autograph the well-illustrated volume. Admission is free, but donations and memberships are welcomed to defray expenses of the program and to support the ongoing activities of the Lovettsville Historical Society.

For more information, visit www.LovettsvilleHistoricalSociety.org or email [email protected].

05/12/2019

May 19: Eugene Scheel presents his new “American Indian Map of Loudoun County” – Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum

http://www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org/index.php/may-19-eugene-scheel-presents-his-new-american-indian-map-of-loudoun-county/

May 19: Eugene Scheel presents his new “American Indian Map of Loudoun County” May 5, 2019 LHS_Admin Uncategorized 0 “American Indian Map of Loudoun County” to be presented by Eugene Scheel Sunday, May 19, at 2:00 p.m. Eugene Scheel has taught American Indian History to Loudoun County teache...

05/03/2019

The May Newsletter of the Lovettsville Historical Society is now available!

https://mailchi.mp/db2cb22b6765/news-from-the-lovettsville-historical-society

04/29/2019

Book Talk & Signing:
1777 - Danbury on Fire!

Presented by M. B. H. Hughes
at the Lovettsville Museum
Saturday, May 11, at 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.


M.H.B. Hughes says that her new book 1777 - Danbury on Fire! (Gatekeeper Press Nov. 2018) is for "children, 'tweens and historians," but writers and amateur genealogists may find equal inspiration. Although marketed for young folk, Hughes says that 80% of the books purchased through her are for older adults.

The protagonist, 13-year-old Joe Hamilton, tries to decipher which part of his family is crazy -- his pacifist parents or every single other family member, all small-town Patriot movers and shakers. Soon enough Joe discovers that the British are indeed coming, on a short and shocking mission against the Patriot commissary. The British that Joe encounters all act willing to give a boy a break ... except one, who is a little too familiar. Swirling smoke suffices to let all comers commit crimes.

1777 gives a clear view of the neighbor-against-neighbor grassroots world of the 1700s, where most of the population dread shattering America's new prosperity. Young readers follow Joe's peregrinations through a besieged town, while adults see the family implications and how extortion, lies, and moral suasion prove more effective than firearms when utilized to divide and conquer.

Snips seeded throughout the text are outtakes from old letters and documents, proving the truth of the plot's odd twists. Included are a bibliography and what happened to the characters after the war.

"All adults in the book are real people," says Hughes, "mostly related to the me."

As a former defense contractor, Hughes felt impressed by the difference between her ancestors' war and the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles that formed her work focus. Even her father's military career revolved around the horse in WWI. (For the horse-lover, plenty of equines gallop through the book.)

Hughes will intersperse reading with discussion about research and the author life. It took seven years for Hughes to complete her book, doing much of the planning while commuting 3-4 hours per day. She states that she "never felt disturbed by the length of time.”

She invites you to join her for wine and cheese after the presentation.